Last year, another foreign cellular brand was hit badly due to battery issues both at global and local levels. Wang said he is confident about Huawei’s ability to handle such a crisis. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: The advent of advanced mobile broadband technology has increased competition among local and international mobile companies operating in Pakistan.
Currently, the market is flooded with different smartphone brands including those brought in through grey-trafficking that, even for big companies, makes the situation excessively erratic.
However, rapid internet penetration in Pakistan due to availability of 4G and expected availability of 5G services compels global cellular companies, like Huawei, to keep focusing on their growth trajectory and gain maximum benefit out of this market in the future.
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“Pakistan’s mobile network is gradually shifting towards the super-fast 4G network which provides more opportunities in consumption of content,” Huawei Pakistan Country Head Blueking Wang said in an interview with The Express Tribune. “However, the challenging part is that the vendor must be ready for the fast-changing market dynamics,” he added.
He further said that 5G is the future of internet services which will bring revolutionary changes in terms of network speed, portability and connectivity. “Huawei is also one of the 5G-standard markets and we will lead the 5G product worldwide,” he claimed.
The company has been operating in Pakistan for the last five years, Wang said, claiming that their penetration in local smart phones market is increasing.
“We believe that the demand for smartphones and internet services will grow rapidly in Pakistan and we will continue to provide services which are both customer-centric and consumer-oriented,” Wang added.
Recently, the company has changed its management hierarchy and marketing strategy. Previously Pakistanis were looking after the company’s key positions; however, Chinese officials are now replacing them in key managerial positions. The new management is focusing on the youth as their future customers since a vast majority of the demographic group is highly tech-savvy.
“Mobile internet services are growing at a fast pace in Pakistan with young people being the main drivers behind the trend due to increasing education and technology-awareness,” Wang said, adding, “Huawei interacts with Pakistani youth through the internet by offering innovative technologies.”
Last year, another foreign cellular brand was hit badly due to battery issues both at global as well as at local level. Wang said he is confident about Huawei’s ability to handle such a crisis.
“Regardless of the nature or size of a business, any company can encounter unforeseen circumstances. We will handle such a crisis with caution and careful planning to come out unscathed,” he stated.
Like other companies, Huawei Pakistan is also feeling the heat of grey trafficking of smart phones.
“The grey stock undoubtedly distorts market dynamics and puts lawfully operating brands at a disadvantage,” Wang deplored. “It also hurts the growth of Pakistan’s smart phone market,” he said, adding that Huawei has a stringent policy regarding the issue with strict qualification and auditing standards for their agents.
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After releasing smartphones, Huawei is also planning to introduce its PC and tablet products in the country.
“We have started studying the market for introducing PC and tablet products,” Wang informed. “Our research and development team has started researching the market dynamics and demand.
“We are also planning to initiate marketing campaigns for MateBook PC since the product has been a success in foreign markets and we are positive that it will be a hit with Pakistani consumers as well,” he hoped.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2017.
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